Lee Otis Smith, grandson of Jim and Vinnie (Booker) Walker was affectionately known as “Uncle Otis” to many. He was born in Marianna, Arkansas on August 12, 1955 to Christine Walker and Frank Smith. He was brought to St. Louis, MO with his mom by his sister Evelyn when he was a young man. He shared fond memories of her coming to get them from out of them sticks and helping to raise him right along with her children. He attended St. Louis Public Schools but later obtained a trade and entered the workforce in the maintenance field. He worked for various employers including the City of St. Louis, and Jewish Hospital.

Uncle Otis loved his entire family and loved visiting or just calling to see how everyone was doing. As he got older and started to settle down and make his peace with God and man, he’d often say, “I was a young fool, but I’m not going to be an old fool.” He’d also say he was going to “stay in his lane.” Uncle Otis was always a dreamer. Some of his favorite past times included fishing, playing his favorite lotto numbers, and hanging out with his life-long friends Jose Purnell, Kevin Harold, and Leroy Batey. Uncle Otis always talked about getting himself a little part-time job, so he could get piece of a car or little truck so he could go junking and have some money in his pocket. He never ended any phone call with good-bye, but would just say “all right” at the conclusion. Whenever you told him you loved him, he’d respond, “I love you more!” When you went to visit him it was not uncommon to smell some beans cooking on the stove, and some cornbread in the oven—he remained a country boy in his heart all his life.

As his health took a turn for the worst, he’d often state “He was just holding on.” He insisted on remaining independent as long as he could, and would even take his wheel chair up to Kingshighway to get his cigarettes or some Churches Fried Chicken. Lee was proceeded in death by his parents as well as his siblings, Frankie Lee Smith, Clarence Morris Jr,. Freddie Morris, Jessie Roe Morris, Pearline Baldwin, Evelyn Moore, and Robert “Kareem Abdullah” Morris. He departed this life on September 29, 2019 at 12:12am after a lengthy illness. He leaves to cherish his memory siblings Dorothy Johnson, Larry Brandscomb, and Troy Holt all of Marianna, Arkansas as well as a daughter Evelyn Smith of Aurora, Colorado, plus a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Service to be held at St. Louis Cremation, 2135 Chouteau Ave. 63103, on Saturday October 12th at 12:00.